Hades

O’Conner, George        Hades       

 Macmillan/ First Second 2012  76p   $9.99

978-1-59643-434-9       elm/ms  G    Olympians series  Graphic Novel    

In translating the mythological tale of Hades, the author of this graphic novel turns the story into an almost urban tale, using contemporary language and slang.  The story concerns Hades, but it really seems to be more about his wife Persephone and her mother Demeter.  The illustrations are well done. The story is interesting, but there are often places where the text seems disjointed and too simplistic.       The Olympians is a well-illustrated series that provides a contemporary slant on Greek mythological tales of the gods and goddesses.     

G          Lynn Fisher                Greek mythology, Graphic novels

 

Lunge-Larson, Lise. Gifts from the Gods.

Lunge-Larson, Lise. Gifts from the Gods. Houghton Mifflin/Clarion/Graphia/Kingfisher, 2011.

90p.     $18.99.            ISBN 978-0-547-15229-5       ms/hs   E-BN  

This book identifies and explains various familiar words and terms from Greek mythology.  Definitions and brief stories regarding word origins are presented.  This text presents the ancient tales of Greek mythology in a lively manner as present-day, familiar terms are identified, presented, and defined as used in their original sense. The language is easily understandable to middle- and high-school students, making the concepts easy to read and for young adult students.
The unique format of the book is to present the word, provide the definition, and offer the derivation of the term.  Subsequent pages deliver the tale in a succinct but thorough manner.  Beautiful illustrations are interspersed with the text, creating an exciting visual appeal for the reader.
This book is both exceptionally well written and visually appealing.  Each chapter offers a new and unique term and its connection to a myth.  Myths are presented accurately, and each one enhances the definition and continued use of a particular term in the English language.  Gifts from the Gods is a "must purchase" for any library.                   Subject: Greek Mythology
Virginia McGarvey

McMullan, Kate. Get to Work, Hercules.

McMullan, Kate.   Get to Work, Hercules.  Stone Arch see Capstone,  2012.  $23.99

ISBN 978-1-4342-3196-3  elm/ms (Grade 5-8).  E-BN    

     This is a cute, funny intro to Greek myths.      It is part of the Myth O Mania series.  Hades, King of the Underworld, claims he wants to set the record straight on the Greek myth of the twelve labors of Hercules.  Hercules had help.  Mostly from Uncle Hades, but also from some other characters. 
     The story is told in a comfortable, reader-friendly manner, almost conspiratorially. There is some funny play on words and downright silliness, but it is a great way to introduce the younger reader to the myth and could encourage a search for the original myth.
     Added to the story is a "King Hades Quick and Easy Guide to the Myths", which provides definitions and pronunciations of names, places and terms.  This was very helpful.  There are also a glossary, a brief excerpt from the Book of Myths, and writing prompts and questions to start discussions. 

     Myth O Mania series includes seven titles that introduce young readers to the various Greek myths.  They are all told from the point of view of Hades, who has a hand in each of the myths.   G

Subject: Greek Mythology - Twelve Labors of Hercules 

Joan Theal

 

Hennesy, Carolyn. Pandora Gets Lazy.

Hennesy, Carolyn. Pandora Gets Lazy.
Bloomsbury see St. Martins 2009 277p 14.99 978-1-59990-198-5 elm/ms

Greek myths gone modern. Pandora is trying to recapture the evils she loosed on the world, accompanied by three friends and with some help from the Gods. Taking place in ancient times, Pandy and her friends speak modern slang, well totally, duh. Greek myths with a modern twist. Pandora and three friends, Iole, Alcie, and Homer, are attempting to recapture the evils she released into the world. In this, the third book, Pandy , as she prefers to be known, is on the trail of Laziness. It has taken root in her uncle Atlas. He is having men captured from all over the ancient world to take his place holding up the heavens. Each man is set on a pillar and survived only three days. Homer is captured by pirates and sold to slavers to be brought to the mountains to serve his turn. Pandora has been traveling a different route to the same mountain since she fell out of Apollo's chariot. This is the high mountain where Atlas was fated to spend eternity at his task. Using wit, luck, bravery, some cunning, and a bit of help from the Gods, the four friends achieve their task and set off in search of the next evil.

Designed to catch the wave of interest in Greek myths generated by Riordan's series, this series is an acceptable imitation. A pleasurable read possibly enticing girls to read more mythology. JT.